Launched in Germany in 2017, HYROX has fast become one of the fastest-growing functional fitness sports in the world. Some HYROX races have over 8,000 participants, making it the world’s largest mass-participation fitness race.
Heber Cannon and Marston Sawyers, popularly known as the Buttery Bros, published a video on their YouTube channel explaining the sport of HYROX, featuring elite CrossFitter Mal O’Brien and 2024 HYROX Houston champion Kristi O’Connell. Check out the video below:
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A HYROX race tests competitors’ strength and endurance, combining running and functional workout stations. Each race features eight one-kilometer runs interwoven with eight different workout stations, each featuring a different exercise.
HYROX Race
- Ski Erg: One kilometer
- Sled Push: 50 meters
- Sled Pull: 50 meters
- Burpee Broad Jumps: 80 meters
- Rowing: One kilometer
- Farmer’s Carry: 200 meters
- Sandbag Lunges: 100 meters
- Wall Balls: 75 or 100
HYROX Race Formats
HYROX focuses on inclusion. The race has no time limits and requires no qualification to participate. There are four different race formats to choose from, covering every fitness level.
- Open: The standard HYROX race.
- Pro: Experienced racers tackle heavier weights.
- Doubles: Complete the race as a pair. Run together but split the workload.
- Relay: Compete as a team of four. Each team member runs two 1-kilometer rounds and completes two workouts.
The Buttery Bros competed in the mixed relay race in three teams.
Sawyers’ Team
- Kristi O’Connell — Five-Time CrossFit Games Athlete
- Cooper Marsh — Sports Agent
- Keaton Nelligan — Buttery Bros Fan
Cannon’s Team
- Lauren Weeks — Three-time HYROX World Champion
- Victoria Brickert — Buttery Bros Fan
- Gio Benitez — Buttery Bros Fan
Buttery Bros Producer Julian Marquez’s Team
- Mal O’Brien —Four-Time CrossFit Games Athlete
- Patrick O’Connell — CrossFit Coach
- Megan Ruble — Buttery Bros Fan
After a strong performance in the Doubles race earlier in the day, O’Brien and Sawyers secured second place in their division. Kristi O’Connell competed in the Pro individual’s race, and Brickert, Nelligan, and Patrick O’Connell competed in the Open division.
After placing runner-up to six-time Fittest Woman on Earth® Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr at the 2022 CrossFit Games, O’Brien withdrew from the 2023 CrossFit season and did not enter the 2024 CrossFit season. She confirmed she is not retired from competitive CrossFit but when she expects to return remains unknown.
O’Connell retired from competitive CrossFit after finishing 13th at the 2022 CrossFit Games. She has since transitioned to hybrid training.
The 2024 HYROX World Championships are scheduled for June 7-9 in Nice, France, and feature a $150,000 prize purse. Prospective HYROX athletes can sign up for races at HYROX.com.
Featured image: @butterybros on Instagram
